Unclear if UNSC to discuss Gaza op

The United Nations Security Council will convene soon to decide on whether it will hold a special meeting on Israel's Operation Pillar of Defense in Gaza, as requested by Egypt.

In a letter to Indian Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri, president of the 15-nation council this month, the Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour said a "message must be sent to Israel to cease its military campaign against the Palestinian people under its occupation, including the cessation of extrajudicial killing." (Yitzhak Benhorin, Washington)